Dear Clarkson Community,
As the colder weather is upon us and more of us are hunkering down indoors, the start of the “cold and flu season” is here. This fall we are starting to see cases of Coronavirus, Coxsackie virus, and Rhinovirus. Below are things you need to know and how to support the health of our community.
Coronavirus, or COVID-19 as we know it now, can cause symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You may have multiple of these symptoms or just a few, as the extent of the illness varies in each individual. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can contact Student Health and Counseling at shac@clarkson.edu or 315-268-6633 to schedule an appointment for testing, or look for an “at home COVID test” at your local pharmacy. Positive results should be reported to SHAC or the Dean of Students email at deanofstudents@clarkson.edu for further guidance.
Rhinovirus, known as the “common cold,” has similar symptoms to coronavirus. These can range from mild (runny nose, nasal congestion, and a sore throat that disappears in a few days) to more severe (fever, chills, body aches in addition to the above) and last anywhere from 7 days to 14 days. People with symptoms persisting beyond 10-14 days should schedule an appointment with a medical provider.
Coxsackie virus, otherwise known as Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, is more common in children under the age of 5, but can be diagnosed at any age. The illness is not usually serious, but is very contagious and can spread quickly. Symptoms include mild fever, mouth sores and sore throat, and skin rash (typically on the hands and feet). This virus can be spread like any virus, through nose and throat secretions, but also from fluid from blisters on the skin. Although the skin rash can appear alarming, it is usually not itchy and will go away on its own without any intervention. It is important to keep the blisters clean and avoid touching them. There is no specific medication that can be prescribed to help with this condition and it can normally be treated at home. Wearing a mask and proper hand hygiene are the best ways to prevent the spread of this virus to others. If symptoms do not improve within 10 days, you have a prolonged fever, or are unable to tolerate food or fluids, you should contact a medical provider.
Although the influenza virus is currently not prominent in St. Lawrence County, we all should anticipate it will be here in just a matter of time. Please reach out to the local pharmacies to inquire about scheduling your influenza /flu vaccination or with your medical provider when you’re home for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Overall, the message remains the same. We all need to do what we can to prevent these common illnesses from spreading. If you are sick, please isolate yourself and if you have to go out into public, please wear a mask and keep your distance from others. Keep washing your hands when soiled with intermittent use of hand sanitizer in between washings and keep your hands away from your face; when sick or symptomatic of an illness start wearing a mask and social distancing; and covering your cough/sneeze are all ways to support community health.
Student Health & Counseling Center
315-268-6633